The truth about X-Men leaked version

MANILA, Philippines - 20th Century Fox through its local distributor Warner Bros. would like to inform the public that CD/DVD and on-line copies of X-Men Origins: Wolverine which was recently leaked on-line were incomplete and rough versions of the movie.

Fox co-chairman Tom Rothman issued an official statement ensuring the fans and the moviegoing public that the leaked version is an early rough cut, with temporary sound and music and a darker appearance than the finished footage. 

Rothman’s statement notes that “The version that went out is unfinished. It’s about 10 minutes shorter, doesn’t have key scenes, it wasn’t edited, and none of the effects shots were in any remotely final form. It’s a complete misrepresentation of the film and is deeply unfair to the people who have worked on it for years.”

Rothman stresses that “We, like everybody, thought our system was secure. Just like I’m sure there are lots of banks that get robbed that thought their vault was safe. We thought the post-production pipeline was secure at every juncture. But, obviously, it’s self-evident that it wasn’t. I have a high level of confidence we’ll find out where the lapse in security was and we’ll bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Rothman is touting a bunch of footage shot in Canada earlier this year that he says is not even included in the version on-line. He insists that both he and Hugh Jackman have vowed to stop at nothing to get the movie out to as many fans as possible. “Hugh was heartbroken and hurt when he found out. He’s lived with this thing for 10 years. But he’s also a man and knows that life isn’t fair, and is more determined than ever,” Rothman says.

Fans and supporters of the movie in the Philippines have affirmed that the leaked version is more like watching behind-the-scenes of X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

The movie will open April 30 in theaters.